What happens when a woman has fibroids?

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How can fibroids impact my health?
Fibroids can result in abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, increased urine frequency, bowel dysfunction, urinary retention, low back pain, constipation, anemia due to blood loss, painful intercourse and infertility. It may also cause complications during pregnancy too.

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Uterine fibroids are common non-cancerous tumours with a higher prevalence in older women and those of African descent. Most of them are discovered incidentally on clinical examination or imaging in asymptomatic women. This article summarises what fibroids are and how it affects a woman.

What are uterine fibroids?

Fibroids are the most common tumours of the reproductive tract. Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas or myomas) are the most common benign tumours in women. They are almost always non-cancerous or benign, and cancerous fibroids are rare.

They are composed of abnormal muscle cells that come together and form a fibrous mass within the uterus. Their nature is monoclonal (produced by the cells derived from a single cell). They develop in the uterus and are made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue. 

Their size can vary from person to person and in one person if more than one fibroid is present. The exact cause of fibroids still remains unknown, and genetics seem to play a role.

How does a fibroid affect a woman?

In most cases, uterine fibroids do not cause any symptoms. However, fibroids can cause certain symptoms in a few cases impacting the quality of life of a woman in various ways. The most common symptoms of fibroids are abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, increased urine frequency, bowel dysfunction, urinary retention, low back pain, constipation, anemia due to blood loss, and painful intercourse. 

Other than these, the complications can range from infertility to complications during pregnancy. Fibroids can impair fertility in various ways. Research states that the cause of infertility is fibroids in around 5-10% of patients. 

It also has the potential to hamper the fetus and the mother during all stages of the pregnancy. During early pregnancy, women with fibroids have a comparatively high risk of miscarriage. In late pregnancy, fibroids can cause problems, such as preterm labour (also causing preterm delivery), placental abruption, fetal growth restriction, and fetal anomalies. During labour and delivery also, fibroids can create certain problems

Lastly, not just this, fibroids can also impact the mental health of a woman. Researchers have found that the incidence of depression, anxiety and self-directed violence were higher among women with diagnosed Uterine Fibroids, especially among those women who experienced pain or other symptoms or who underwent a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus).

Therefore, a woman must consult a doctor to treat it. The treatment options for symptomatic uterine fibroids include medical, surgical, and radiologically guided interventions.

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

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How can fibroids impact my health?
Fibroids can result in abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, increased urine frequency, bowel dysfunction, urinary retention, low back pain, constipation, anemia due to blood loss, painful intercourse and infertility. It may also cause complications during pregnancy too.

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

How can fibroids impact my health?
Fibroids can result in abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, increased urine frequency, bowel dysfunction, urinary retention, low back pain, constipation, anemia due to blood loss, painful intercourse and infertility. It may also cause complications during pregnancy too.

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

How can fibroids impact my health?
Fibroids can result in abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, increased urine frequency, bowel dysfunction, urinary retention, low back pain, constipation, anemia due to blood loss, painful intercourse and infertility. It may also cause complications during pregnancy too.

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

How can fibroids impact my health?
Fibroids can result in abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, increased urine frequency, bowel dysfunction, urinary retention, low back pain, constipation, anemia due to blood loss, painful intercourse and infertility. It may also cause complications during pregnancy too.

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

How can fibroids impact my health?
Fibroids can result in abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, increased urine frequency, bowel dysfunction, urinary retention, low back pain, constipation, anemia due to blood loss, painful intercourse and infertility. It may also cause complications during pregnancy too.

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

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How can fibroids impact my health?
Fibroids can result in abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, increased urine frequency, bowel dysfunction, urinary retention, low back pain, constipation, anemia due to blood loss, painful intercourse and infertility. It may also cause complications during pregnancy too.

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

How can fibroids impact my health?
Fibroids can result in abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, increased urine frequency, bowel dysfunction, urinary retention, low back pain, constipation, anemia due to blood loss, painful intercourse and infertility. It may also cause complications during pregnancy too.

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

How can fibroids impact my health?
Fibroids can result in abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, increased urine frequency, bowel dysfunction, urinary retention, low back pain, constipation, anemia due to blood loss, painful intercourse and infertility. It may also cause complications during pregnancy too.

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

How can fibroids impact my health?
Fibroids can result in abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, increased urine frequency, bowel dysfunction, urinary retention, low back pain, constipation, anemia due to blood loss, painful intercourse and infertility. It may also cause complications during pregnancy too.

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

How can fibroids impact my health?
Fibroids can result in abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, increased urine frequency, bowel dysfunction, urinary retention, low back pain, constipation, anemia due to blood loss, painful intercourse and infertility. It may also cause complications during pregnancy too.

Last Updated on February 3, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

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Dr. Shikha Shiromani
Dr. Shikha Shiromani
A dental surgeon by education and medical writer by profession, Shikha is passionate to bring her knowledge and experience in busting the myths around medicine and health. At THIP, she is involved in researching, fact-checking and answering all kinds of questions related to health.
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